General information only. Confirm with the agency for your situation. Spotted something out of date? Email help@unemployed.nz.
ACC compensation vs Jobseeker Support
Compare ACC weekly compensation with Jobseeker Support and see how Work and Income treats ACC income.
ACC averages your PAYE earnings, up to 52 weeks. Casual or seasonal workers use all jobs over the past year.
Enter your usual weekly earnings to compare ACC with Jobseeker Support.
Things that catch people out
- For a work injury your employer pays the first week at 80% of usual pay. ACC can pay from day 8. For a non-work injury you usually use sick or annual leave first.
- If you had no PAYE earnings in the 52 weeks before the injury, compensation can be $0. We could not confirm how ACC treats someone who was recently made redundant, so ask them.
- A back-dated ACC payment makes Work and Income review the benefit paid for that period, and any overpayment is recovered as a debt. Report ACC income as soon as you know.
Figures from ACC's published rates (maximum from 1 July 2026, minimum from 1 April 2026). Tax is estimated and uses annual brackets. Call ACC on 0800 101 996 and Work and Income on 0800 559 009 to confirm your exact amounts.
Sources: ACC weekly compensation, Work and Income: ACC income